Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-05-28
THE OUTLOOK FOR FLORENCE

blood bears to the exist ence of animal life is the relation the proper distribution of water bears to the life and growth of Arizona. Without the influence of it's magical presence the most fertile soil re- yerts speedily to sterile ashes and every principle of vegetable life perishes. One may journey for days across such barren plains, that will eventually be made to blossom and to bear abundant fruit when the intelligent energy of man seeks and unlocks the subterranean treasure house of precious water, and many thousands of happy and prosperous homes will flourish where silence and desolation now reigns.
 A provident nature has made the task of supplying the one thing needful very simple problem, for every mountain range and canyon solicits the privilege of stor- ing up great reservoirs of water that man mSySgiatde the artit, -rlfiiilte ttiiresubtcr- ranean streams chafe impatiently within their dark and dismal caverns, longing to leap forth and sparkle in the bright sun light and fulfill it's glad mission of resur- recting into happy life that which now lies withered and dead.
 The natural water courses are also the great arteries into which the waters are gathered, and the quantity that flows perpetually onward down to the sea is far more than enough for the purpose of irrigating all the lands in Arizona. The 0ila river, upon whose beautiful banks Florence nestles amid fields of emerald and gold, begins its flow within the boun- daries of New Mexico and courses it's way westward across Arizona to the Colorado river, its waters augmented by streams from the mountains on its north and from the broad plateau on the south reaching the Mexican boundary line. It drains an area of country equal in extent to one-third of the area of the entire Ter ritory. Its surface flow only is now being utilized, and this small fraction of it's abundant waters is working the mira cleS prophesied in the holy writ, wherein it is said ''the desert shall blossom as the rose" When it's immense underhow is checked by submerged dams in it's rocky canyons, and the natural reservoirs are utilized to store up that which is now wasted, there will be enough for all lsgit- innate purposes in irrigating an expanse of country capable of supporting popu- lation of millions.
 Florence is fortunately situated short distance below the narrows of the Gila, -.aas-cO4zsO- of timeit wiR enjoy the immeasurabIe benefits that Will result from the opportunity of storing an ina mense lake of water at that point. The present supply of water, as shown in an- other column, already supplies every requisite for large body of very rich agricultural land; and the new canal, which will reach Florence by July first, and be completed it's entire length by October first in time for the usual fall season of planting, has started veritable boom. Over fifty thousand acres of pub lie land has been taken up within the past six months and nearly one hundred thousand acres more will be entered be- fore the present year expires. Strangers are coming daily to invest in property and real estate is advancing in price in keeping with the increasing demand.
 The valley lands about Florence are chiefly devoted to grain and grass. Veg etables of all kinds are likewise produced and almost every variety of fruit IS grown. The higher lands, through which the Florence canal passes, constitute the thermal belt within which all kinds oi fruit attain the greatest perfection. Nc frost ever visits it, and the orange, ban ana and other semi-tropical fruits can bC safely and pro6tably grown. The grape for wine or raisin making, here attain absolute perfection and the dry atmos phere cures the raisins naturally, produc ing the richest and most uniform quality The entire absence of even trace O alkali in the soil is an advantage tha characterizes this specially favored sec tion of Arizona. A few years hence tn products of the orchard and vineyard C Pinal county will rank among the best i the world and will command the highes market prices.
 While we base the claims for the futur greatness of Florence chiefly upon tn wonderful agricultural advantages SUI rounding it, they are by no means tn sum of the prolific resources that give
 permansnce and stability. The count of Pinal has within it's borders grea number of fabulously rich mines, bot gold and silver. The famous Silvt King, the wonderful Vekol, the prodi, ious Mammoth, the plethorio Souther Belle, and the steady Jesse Benton at th
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